This regionally focused study is written at the strategic level to inform and guide US Air Force leadership over the next eight years. Further, the study is designed to provide an overarching strategy for the service as the nation rebalances from Europe and Southwest Asia to the Asia-Pacific region. In accordance with the direction from the chief of staff, the study’s time frame lies outside the Future Year Defense Program and does not address programmatic issues. Although it takes into account the Air Force’s worldwide commitments, the study is not a global strategy. Neither is it solely about China. The research team recognized China’s significance but more broadly addresses the Asia-Pacific region from India to the Americas. Accordingly, the team focused on the major nation-states of Russia, China, and India, as well as the lesser states of Japan, the Koreas, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand. As appropriate to the study, the research team considered other nations and regions, including Canada, Latin America, Pakistan, and Southwest Asia. Finally, the study is not based upon a containment strategy but upon engagement across the region. [Dale L. Hayden, John P. Geis II, Stephen J. Hagel, Kevin C. Holzimmer, Jeffrey B. Hukill / 2014 / 285 pages / ISBN: 978-1-58566-243-2 / AU Press Code: B-138]

This regionally focused study is written at the strategic level to inform and guide US Air Force leadership over the next eight years. Further, the study is designed to provide an overarching strategy for the service as the nation rebalances from Europe and Southwest Asia to the Asia-Pacific region. In accordance with the direction from the chief of staff, the study’s time frame lies outside the Future Year Defense Program and does not address programmatic issues. Although it takes into account the Air Force’s worldwide commitments, the study is not a global strategy. Neither is it solely about China. The research team recognized China’s significance but more broadly addresses the Asia-Pacific region from India to the Americas. Accordingly, the team focused on the major nation-states of Russia, China, and India, as well as the lesser states of Japan, the Koreas, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand. As appropriate to the study, the research team considered other nations and regions, including Canada, Latin America, Pakistan, and Southwest Asia. Finally, the study is not based upon a containment strategy but upon engagement across the region. [Dale L. Hayden, John P. Geis II, Stephen J. Hagel, Kevin C. Holzimmer, Jeffrey B. Hukill / 2014 / 285 pages / ISBN: 978-1-58566-243-2 / AU Press Code: B-138]